5 shades of sadness: Different types of depressions and their treatments

With World Mental Health Day happening tomorrow, October 10, perhaps there isn't a better time to take a closer look at depression.

Referencing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), psychiatrist Dr. Reynier Umali says there are actually five types of depression.

"Each one, may kanya-kanyang conflict, duration, and prognostication," he explains.

Below, we share with you the five and how they are different from each other:

1. Major Depressive Episode (MDE)

MDE is the type that comes in episodes that “remit and occur” from time to time, according to the National Library of Medicine. 

A 2013 study by Ronald Kessler and Evelyn Bromet added that MDE can later turn into major depressive disorder (MDD) when left untreated.

Among its symptoms include irritability or frustration; changes in appetite, weight, and sleep pattern; loss of interest; fatigue; and lack of concentration, among others.

2. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Umali says a patient can be diagnosed with MDD when they experience at least five of the symptoms for two straight weeks.

Although tests are available, patients can also be diagnosed with talk therapy, where a mental health professional tries to understand the patients' feelings, emotions, symptoms more.

It is also worth noting that the symptoms should not be caused by an underlying medical condition.

3. Dysthymia

Also called the persistent depressive disorder, dysthymia can be the diagnosis to a patient if they have been suffering from depression for at least two years.

The intensity, however, changes overtime. According to Mayo Clinic, although there may be good days, it may still be hard for patients with dysthymia to feel happy or joy.

Like other types of depression, it may affect one’s day-to-day activities, as well as relationships.

4. Postpartum Depression

Unlike other kinds, postpartum depression affects new parents who just gave birth to their children.

While welcoming a new family member may trigger emotions of joy and excitement, it may also result in worry, confusion, self-doubt, or criticism.

Apart from the common symptoms, patients with postpartum depression may also have thoughts that they may cause harm to their baby or they are not good enough to care for them.

According to Umali, postpartum depression usually starts to happen within two weeks after labor.

5. Bipolar Disorder

People who have bipolar disorder have mood swings of either extreme highs (manic) or extreme lows (depression). Unlike the usual good and bad days that people often have, these are hard to control.

Like other kinds of depression, Bipolar Disorder may also affect sleep, appetite, and relationships.

According to The Center for Mental Health, depressive symptoms must be present everyday for two weeks before a patient can be diagnosed with such disorder.

Treatment

Clinical psychologist Jade Cuambot says there is no “one size fits all” treatment for mental health disorders. As such, it would always depend on the symptoms and the patient’s history.

However, all kinds of depression can be helped by a mental health professional through psychotherapy or talk therapy. Others, meanwhile, need a combined treatment with medicine or psychopharmacology.

To determine what kind of treatment is needed, psychologists and psychiatrists will first have to interview patients through consultation and then diagnose from there.

Cuambot says disorders that usually stem from biological reasons are the ones prescribed with drugs, while those that are “social or psychological by nature” can be treated with psychotherapy.

“When we’re trying to analyze the case, inuusisa namin. Meron ba sa pamilya mo na may any form of psychological disorder? ‘Yon yung biological side kaya most of the time, kailangan medication.”

But again, it depends. Even if it’s not biological but the client seems to be unable to control their emotions, chemicals in the brain still need to be normalized through medicine.

“Magpe-prescribe tayo ng medication para ‘pag yung hormones nag-normalize through medication at kapag clear na yung mindset, pwede ka nang makausap. Doon papasok ang psychotherapy.”

In most cases, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology “should work together” for recovery.

“Ang tina-tackle lang ng medication ay biological, but never tackles the thinking,” Cuambot said. “The psychological, irrational beliefs, nando’n pa rin [without psychotherapy].”

More than anything, part of treating clients is to provide the kind of support they can trust.

“There should be empathy, connection and understanding. Somebody who will listen, understand, and not shame them or blame them,” clinical psychologist Charlene Lucas said.

“You have to understand them before you inject some school of thought or some approaches that they deem fit,” she added.

The professionals added that these approaches should come with a healthy lifestyle and mindset.

“Negative thoughts produce negative actions. Negative actions produce negative results. Positive thoughts produce positive actions. Positive actions produce positive results,” Umali said.

“Hindi maaaring negative thoughts will lead to a negative action that will lead to a positive result.” – LA, GMA News

If you or anyone you know need to talk to someone, Hopeline, the 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, may be reached at (02) 8804-4673; 0917-5584673.